ORGANISATIONS IN CASTLE HALL

ORGANISATIONS

There were many organisations within the area of Castle Hall, some connected to and some independent of the various
Churches and Chapels.

Send us details of organisations to add to this page

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

1st Stalybridge ( Holy Trinity ) Guides and Brownies

Castle Hall Guides were registered as 2nd Ashton in September 1919 under the leadership of Jenny Gill and Agnes Cook.
The latter did not last long and her place as Lieutenant was fortunately taken over by Dora Buckley who was eventually to become Captain..

Brownies were formed some time later

2nd Ashton became 1st Stalybridge in the early 1950's.One name everyone connected to Guiding remembers from this time was the Captain, Muriel Kenyon. She seemed to put the light in Guiding and through her dedication, Guides of those days enjoyed a host of different activities.
Muriel emigrated to New Zealand and married Ivan Manu.

Due to lack of numbers, the company eventually folded in 1965. It re-opened again in 1976 but is now independent of any Church involvement.

Castle Hall also had a thriving Brownie pack. In the 1950's/1960's the pack was led by former Brownie, Guide and Ranger
June Waterhouse with assistants Jean Cragg, Pauline Walsh, Patricia Jones and Maxine Walsh. Like Guides the pack eventually closed in the 1960's but re-opened again in 1976.
The pack is now based at the Unitarian Church on Canal Street.

" I have one special memory of being a Guide at Castle Hall. It was 1964 and Lady Baden Powell was to pay a visit to Manchester where a pageant commemorating the blitz of WW2 was to be performed at the Albert Hall.
One Guide from the whole of Stalybridge was chosen to take part and - guess what? - it was me! On the night itself, the great lady actually spoke to me and asked if I had a dead fox around my neck She was of course referring to the fur stole I was wearing. "

2nd Ashton Rangers 1920's

Guides circa 1952

Brownies 1947

Brownies 1959

Stories and photographs about Scouts, Cubs, Guides and Brownies from other Castle Hall churches and schools would be very welcome.
For further information read " Guides All Guides "
see Publications page.

Castle Hall Scouts

I have not got many details regarding the Scout Troop but the photograph (1) suggests that it was certainly in existence during the 1920's.
Photograph (2) clearly states that the troop was registered as 6th Stalybridge.

Holy Trinity/Castle Hall Mothers' Union

Holy Trinity Mothers' Union

The Mother's Union was a very active organisation within Holy Trinity/Castle Hall. Membership of this
was quite strict in that you could only join if you were a mother, no admittance for single ladies.

They were responsible for various activities within the church, particularly the Harvest Supper social which was a well loved annual event.
The photograph shows Ethel McCallum, Marion Stubbs, Louie Whitehead and Mrs Wardle

Holy Trinity/Castle Hall Orchestra

Certainly around in the early 1900's, the photograph below was taken in c.1908. The young girl
wearing the big white hat and sitting on the front row is Ada Jones ( nee Crossley ).

The Orchestra

Castle Hall Youth Club

During the 1960's, Holy Trinity had a very popular youth club which was held in the schoolrooms on Friday evenings. The leader was John Marshall and you had to be 13 years old to join. The club brought new members into the Church, enticed by activities such as table-tennis and the opportunity to listen to the latest records. Add your memories to this.

Other Holy Trinity/Castle Hall Organisations

Holy Trinity also had, in fact still has, a Ladies Guild.
Other organisations included the Young Mens' Society, a Football Team, the Entertainments Society and the Sewing Circle.
Do you have any details regarding these clubs/societies?
If so, please send them to us.

Castle Hall Football Team

Mission Hall Rovers

The following account has been provided by Rodger Stubbings, great grandson of Robert William Illingworth.

" In the early part of the 20th Century, football was as popular as it is today and numerous clubs were founded. Some became great teams that still exist today… others did not. Amongst the latter was Mission Hall Rovers formed by members of the Kay St Mission in Castle Hall. My great grandfather Robert William Illingworth was a founder member and enjoyed a lengthy career with them.

	This cutting from The Stalybridge Reporter in 1929 when he became a councillor celebrates his enthusiasm for the club and long playing career.
	Amongst the honours won by Mission Hall Rovers was Runners-Up in the 2nd Division Championship of the Hooley Hill & District Sunday School League in 1922. It was hardly the Premiership I know… but this medal was proudly displayed by my great grandfather on his watch chain and passed down to me in due course.
	RW Illingworth seems to have been a great organiser and this picture shows the Mission Hall Rovers Junior Team. Unfortunately I cannot decipher the year, but I believe the lad at the extreme back left is RW’s son Bobby Illingworth (born 1905), which would put the picture at around 1920. RW himself is second from the right.
	Following closely in his father’s " bootsteps " was my grandfather William Illingworth. This picture shows him ready for action as the Rovers goalkeeper in 1922 – fashion gurus please take careful note ! William was no more than 5’ 5” but as I remember him, his general enthusiasm and agility would have made up for his lack of inches.
	The lethal combination of father and son was celebrated in this cutting lovingly preserved by young William.

So that is what little I know of Mission Hall Rovers - a tantalising few scraps of a team that must have brought a lot of recreation,
glory and escape from the daily drudgery to the residents in Castle Hall.

I presume that the team faded away like the rest of Hooley Hill Sunday School League, but if anyone out there knows more,
or recognises other team members, I would be delighted to expand on this history ! "

Rodger Stubbings
April 2006

The Drill Hall